GLP podcast and video: ESG undermines sustainable farming? Top-10 anti-biotech propagandists; FDA’s ‘healthy’ food labels

Environmental-Social-Governance (ESG) metrics are supposed to help promote sustainable industry, but could they actually undermine efforts to make farming more eco-friendly? There’s a long list of propagandists who attack modern agriculture and medicine; let’s take a look at the top 10. The FDA has proposed to label some foods in the grocery store “healthy.” It’s a terrible idea.

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Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 213 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

• Viewpoint: How Environmental—Social—Governance (ESG) screens can be manipulated to promote misleading science and damage sustainability efforts

In theory, investing in food companies based on their commitment to sustainable farming is a great idea. The problem is, many investors define “sustainability” as a synonym for “organic” farming, which a wealth of research shows is actually worse for the planet. If the ESG movement continues to gain influence, could it harm global food production and efforts to protect the environment?

• Top 10 anti-biotech propagandizers: Who are the science deniers and snake oil peddlers undermining science in agriculture and medicine?

Vandana Shiva, Mike Adams, Robert F Kennedy, Jr., Joe Mercola. These are just some of the high-profile activists undermining public confidence in agriculture and medicine. Let’s analyze some commentary from a few of these influential but misguided figures. What exactly do they get wrong, and how can we learn to spot their mistakes?

• Viewpoint: ‘A fool’s errand’ — Here’s why the FDA’s new ‘healthy’ label for foods won’t move the needle on chronic disease

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it wants to label “healthy” foods in grocery stores, in a bid to promote smarter eating habits. There’s a number of critical problems with this proposal. Most importantly, and by the agency’s own admission, the vast majority of Americans will not use these labels once they are implemented.

Cameron J. English is the director of bio-sciences at the American Council on Science and Health. Visit his website and follow ACSH on Twitter @ACSHorg